WWII bombs in Kaiserslautern cause another evacuation

This 250-pound American World War II bomb was unearthed in May 2012 at a Kaiserslautern, Germany, construction site, prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents. Two more World War II-era bombs were unearthed at Kaiserslautern on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, prompting the temporary evacuation of hundreds of residents in Einsiedlerhof.

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — For the third time in less than a month, the discovery of World War II-era bombs at a construction site in Einsiedlerhof will force the temporary evacuation of hundreds of residents on Thursday while the bombs are defused.

The evacuation order, in effect from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, affects access to the Pulaski Barracks gate near McDonald’s, according to base officials. Traffic delays in the area are expected.

Kaiserslautern officials said two bombs were found Tuesday, weighing 250 and 500 pounds apiece. A 500-pound bomb was defused March 26 and a 250-pound bomb was defused April 9 in the same area. The bombs, believed to have been dropped by allied aircraft, have been found in the same vicinity of a construction area near the train tracks in Einsiedlerhof.

The stretch of Pariser Street, from the turn off at Im Hader Wald by McDonald’s will be blocked, all the way to the Jacob-Pfeiffer Street. That road, including the bridge, will also be closed.

An Army spokesman said from about 4 p.m. on Thursday, entry to Vogelweh, Kapaun and Pulaski will be only through Gate 1, which is next to Kapaun off of B-270. That gate normally closes at 6 p.m. but it will reman open until operations resume at the Pulaski Gate entrance, the spokesman said.

Vehicles may exit Vogelweh, Kapaun and Pulaski using Gate 11 (Pulaski Gate) and Gate 6 (Commissary Gate), but will only be allowed to make a right turn onto L-395 (Pariser Street).

Residents who have to evacuate can take shelter in the Einsiedlerhof mayor’s office (Burgerhaus), from 4 p.m. onwards, Kaiserslautern officials said in a news release.

People are advised to lock their doors and close their shutters before leaving their homes. Electronic equipment and natural gas systems should be shut off, if possible.

More information is by calling, from the Kaiserslautern area: 0631-365-4535 or 0631 365-2717, on Thursday from 8 a.m. until two hours after the bombs are defused.